Ocular tuberculosis

Abstract

Ocular tuberculosis showed a low prevalence but important visual loosing morbidity. The mycobacteriumtuberculosis reach the eye through blood stream. The most common manifestation of ocular tuberculosis in patientwith pulmonary tuberculosis is choroidetis. Other ocular manifestations include uveitis, retinal vasculitis, vitritis,papillitis interstitial keratitis, conjunctivitis and endophthalmitis. Tuberculoprotein hypersensitivity reaction havea role in the pathogenesis of phlyctenulosis and Eales disease.

Diagnosis depends on skin testing, chest x-ray, history of exposure to tuberculosis, clinical signs, populationat risk for tuberculosis, complete eye examination and retinal angiography in case of choroiditis. In some casespolymerase chain reaction is needed to identify DNA of tuberculous bacilli.

Treatment of ocular tuberculosis or presumed ocular tuberculosis is similar to that of the pulmonarydisease. Corticosteroid are often necessary in conjunction with anti T.B. drugs. The clinical cure of tuberculosisof the eye has to be proven before stopping anti T.B. therapy.